April has been called “the cruelest month,” usually in reference to the weather. The words “the month of taxes” apply even more appropriately to April — with the annual filing of income tax and the introduction of the municipal and school budgets, the reality of taxes hits us very hard this month.

Our municipal budget does have some positive aspects, as noted by Borough Administrator Candace Gallagher: For three years in a row, the municipal budget has reflected an overall decrease in departmental operating

costs, a result of the successful efforts of Department Heads and Borough administration to keep costs in check and increase efficiency. In 2006, the Borough was able to utilize $567,000 in available surplus funds generated during 2004 and 2005 to offset the potential 2006 tax

increase, a considerably larger amount than has been available in years past. That surplus is largely the result of the collection of additional revenues during 2005 and cost savings realized during 2004, as well as the collection of taxes from added assessments.

A budget has been developed that is nearly $12,000 under the cap imposed and allowed by the State.

However, despite our efforts to create the leanest budget possible, property owners are faced with an increase in property taxes due to circumstances beyond Council’s control. These include dramatic cost increases in health benefits, pension contributions, utilities, and the need to contract for emergency medical services. Over the past two years, the Borough has been able to reduce its controllable costs by six percent; however, those costs which are largely beyond our control (and which comprise the largest part of our budget) have increased by 34 percent.

Many have called for more efforts to enter into shared services with other towns in order to offset the budget increases. Currently, the Borough participates in interlocal agreements with: Cranbury Township (we administer their 9-1-1 emergency calls); West Windsor Township (a two-way partnership — we utilize their health department and they utilize our Community Nurse); East Windsor Township (they provide animal control services, senior services and bus services); Roosevelt Borough (which utilizes our Public Works department for certain work); Hamilton Township (whose clinic we utilize for sexually transmitted diseases); and South Brunswick (from whom we lease mobile data terminal units used in our police cars).

In addition, the Borough participates in: a county-wide interlocal agreement for recycling services; a joint purchasing program with towns in Middlesex and Mercer counties for office supplies; a three-way partnership with East Windsor Township and the East Windsor Regional School District for fueling services; and a joint insurance fund (the Mid Jersey JIF) for workmen’s compensation, liability and property insurance.

(Continued on page 4)

April 2006 News From Hightstown Borough Hall Volume 10, No. 2

www.hightstownborough.com

6th Annual BOROUGH-WIDE GARAGE SALE

Saturday, May 6, 2006 (rain date Sunday, May 7)

Registered addresses will be posted on our website and provided in printed handouts. Visit our website or call 490-5100, Ext. 772 for more information.

Mayor’s Message

148 N. Main Street, Hightstown, NJ 08520 (609) 490-5100 Fax (609) 371-0267

Healthy Hightstown - Sharon Lane, RN

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH

All adults can benefit from regular physical activity. The activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits. Adults can obtain significant health benefits with a moderate amount of physical activity, preferably daily. A moderate amount of activity can be obtained in longer sessions of moderately intense activity (such as walking) or in shorter sessions of more vigorous activities (such as fast walking or stair climbing).

Regular physical activity can:

Reduce the risk of dying from coronary heart disease and of developing high blood pressure, colon cancer and diabetes.

Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and foster improvement in mood and feelings of well being.

Help maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints.

Help control joint swelling and pain associated with arthritis.

Now that spring is here, one great way to get more exercise is to begin a walking program. Here are some tips for getting started:

Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any fitness program.

To warm up at the beginning of your walk, stretch to keep limber, improve balance and prevent injuries.

Take full, relaxed breaths and exhale gradually and completely.

Find a friend to walk with you.

Choose a convenient time of day and stick with it- find a time that best fits your schedule.

To increase your health benefits, add more movement to all of your daily activities—take the stairs instead of the elevator, or park your car at the farthest end of the parking lot.

Congratulations on taking steps to improve your life!

“ICE” Your Cell Phone To Help Rescuers To its owner, the cell phone is an indispensable lifeline at times of crisis, reuniting loved ones separated by unforeseen events at the touch of a button. But for members of the emergency services making life-and-death decisions, the cell phone poses a conundrum: Which of the numbers stored in its electronic address book should they call to reach a casualty's next of kin?

Now a simple initiative, conceived by a paramedic in Britain, has gained momentum on both sides of the Atlantic, including here in Hightstown, to try to solve this problem. Cell users are being urged to put the acronym ICE -- "in case of emergency" -- before the names of the people they want to designate as next of kin in their cell address book, creating entries such as "ICE -- Dad" or "ICE -- Lisa."

EMTs, paramedics, police and firefighters often waste valuable time trying to figure out which name in a cell phone to call when disaster strikes. They usually must look through wallets for clues, or scroll through cell address books and guess. Many people identify their spouse by name in their cell, making them indistinguishable from other entries.

"Sometimes dialing the number for 'Mom' or 'Dad' might not be appropriate, particularly if they are elderly, suffer from ill health or Alzheimer's," said Erini Papafilipakis, Captain of the Hightstown First Aid Squad, which is promoting the ICE initiative. "This would give EMTs a way of reaching the appropriate person in a few seconds."

Please take the time to designate an individual and add them under your address book as “ICE”. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your volunteer squad at (609) 426-1512 and they will be happy to help you set it up.

P O L I C E L I N E Effective March 1, 2006, New Jersey's bicycle helmet law has changed. Young people under the age of 17 will be required to wear an approved helmet when cycling, roller skating, in-line skating, or skateboarding.

Head injury is the most serious injury type and the most common cause of death among bicyclists. The most severe injuries are those to the brain that cause permanent damage. Bicycle helmets can prevent or diminish the severity of these injuries.

Parents, please have your children wear their helmets at all times. Please also share with them that bicycling, roller skating, in-line skating and skateboarding are prohibited on the sidewalks in downtown Hightstown .

- Police Chief James Eufemia

HELP KEEP OUR SEWER LINES CLEAN by properly disposing of cooking oils and grease. NEVER pour fats into your sink or toilet. Pour or scrape them into a heat-proof container and dispose of them with your garbage.

Spring Events

The Hightstown Library Book Discussion Group meets monthly in the Library’s Community Room from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Join us for:

April 12 - My Favorite Books (come and discuss your favorites)

May 10 - The Ditchdigger's Daughters, Yvonne S. Thornton

June 14 - In Cold Blood, Truman Capote

July 12 - The Plot Against America, Philip Roth

Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 8 9 a.m. (Rain date Saturday, April 18) Bring the little ones to hunt for Easter eggs at Association Park on Grant Avenue. This annual event is sponsored by the Hightstown-East Windsor Lions Club.

Borough-wide Garage Sale Saturday, May 6 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Rain date Sunday, May 7) For more information or to register, visit our website or call 490-5100, Ext. 772.

Youth Fishing Derby at Peddie Lake Saturday, May 20 9 a.m. Sponsored by Hightstown Engine Co. No. 1. Call 490-5100 for details.

Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 29 9 a.m. Join your friends and neighbors in downtown Hightstown for our 87th Annual Memorial Day Parade!

Summer Garden Tour Saturday, June 10 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. “Backyard Paradise” Tour, sponsored by the Rocky Brook Garden Club. For details, see article at right.

AT THE PEDDIE SCHOOL: (for information or tickets, call 490-7550) March 31 - Mariboe Gallery April 21 Ellen Harvey

April 1 Signature Series 8 p.m. Sérgio and Odair Assad

April 7 Jazz Fridays Series 8 p.m. John Patitucci Trio

April 19 Dramatist Workshop Series 7:30 p.m. “Between a Princess and a Witch” by Luigi Jannuzzi

April 23 Light Sundays Series 2 p.m. “Astaire!” starring Jim Caruso

May 20 Signature Series 8 p.m. Christopher O’Reilly

Community Cultural Calendar

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT STORMWATER is included as an insert with this CRIER. “Solutions to Stormwater Pollution - Easy Things You Can Do Every Day to Protect our Water” is a publication of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The Borough has adopted ordinances necessary to comply with the State’s requirements for stormwater protection. For more information, visit the Borough’s website, or call 490-5100, Ext. 772.

The Rocky Brook Garden Club is sponsoring a Summer Garden Tour, “Backyard Paradise,” featuring private

gardens in Hightstown and Cranbury. The tour will take place on June 10, 2006, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. rain or shine. Advanced sale tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children and are available at Perennial Home on West Ward Street. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the tour for $15 at the Ely House. Call 609-448-8388 for more information.

to our Hightstown Crier! In 2006, the Crier entered it’s 10th year of publication! Many thanks to those who have contributed articles, artwork and suggestions along the way!

Summer Garden Tour

SCHOOL ELECTION Tuesday, April 18 Polls open 3 to 9 p.m.

PRIMARY ELECTION Tuesday, June 6 Polls open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you are unsure of where your polling place is located, contact the Borough Clerk’s office at 490-5100, Ext. 772.

Monday, April 3 Monday, April 17 Monday, May 1 Monday, May 15 Monday, June 5 Monday, June 19

All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted, and are open to the public. Meeting information is available on the Borough’s website and at Borough Hall on the Friday before each meeting.

Borough Hall will be CLOSED on the following dates:

Friday, April 14 (Good Friday)

Monday, May 29 (Memorial Day observed)

Tuesday, July 4 (Independence Day)

The Borough will be conducting the Spring Fire Hydrant Flushing Program on weekdays between April 3 and April 21, 2006. This procedure is necessary to remove sediment build-up from the water mains and fire hydrants for proper operation.

During this time, you may experience some temporary discoloration. If you have any questions, contact the Water Department at 490-5117.

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO

VOTE

Did you know that you can receive a credit on your sewer charges when you fill your pool? That’s right—before you fill your pool, come to the Borough Clerk’s office and apply for a “Pool Fill-ing Permit.” The cost is $10. Someone from the water department will visit your pool and calculate the amount of water needed to fill it. You will receive a credit for the sewer portion on your next bill.

Upcoming Council Meetings

(continued on page 4) As your Mayor, I have reached out to municipal officials in our area to discuss even more shared services such as garbage and recycling collection, police and dispatch coverage, first aid coverage, equipment/personnel/facilities/supplies, recreation, construction and housing code inspections, court administration, and health benefits coverage. For years, Borough officials have been making this effort!

At the Borough’s Council meeting on March 20th, I was given the Council’s support to continue this outreach effort to other municipalities “with gusto,” which I certainly intend to do. Our Borough Administrator and I will continue to explore every avenue open to us for reducing costs without reducing services to our residents.

Remember ... Hightstown’s municipal tax rate is about 21 percent of the total property tax levy with the school district needing about 60 percent, the County getting about 17 percent and the rest going to open space and library use. Are you getting enough “bang for your buck”? We are doing a remarkable job with that 21 percent!

Why are Hightstown’s property taxes so high? Because the State of New Jersey has not designed another way, in whole or in part, to fund public education. Unlike other states, New Jersey ranks first in reliance on property taxes to pay for public education. We, the property owners, are bearing the brunt of the refusal of state politicians for decades to act on this inequity. You have a right to be angry about your taxes! Let the governor and your state legislators know that you demand a change! Our town and each of New Jersey’s other 565 municipalities should not have to suffer because of the state legislature’s reluctance to act on a constitutional amendment to give you property tax relief!

As your Mayor, I have been voicing across New Jersey your concerns over the out-of control increase in property taxes and the need to make changes at the state level across New Jersey. In addition, I continue to search for new ways for the Borough’s operations to be cost effective and to seek new revenue sources, so that Hightstown can move successfully and prosperously into the 21st Century.

Together, we will make a difference!

Mayor’s Message (continued from page 1)

SA Guide to Healthy Habits forCleaner Water

ollution on streets, parking lots and lawns is washed by rain into storm drains, then directly to our drinking water supplies and the ocean

and lakes our children play in. Fertilizer, oil,pesticides, detergents, pet waste, grass clippings: Youname it and it ends up in our water.

Stormwater pollution is one of New Jersey’s greatestthreats to clean and plentiful water, and that’s whywe’re all doing something about it.

By sharing the responsibility and making small, easychanges in our daily lives, we can keep commonpollutants out of stormwater. It all adds up to cleanerwater, and it saves the high cost of cleaning up onceit’s dirty.

As part of New Jersey’s initiative to keep our waterclean and plentiful and to meet federal requirements,many municipalities and other public agencies includingcolleges and military basesmust adopt ordinances orother rules prohibitingvarious activities thatcontribute to stormwaterpollution. Breaking theserules can result in fines orother penalties.

Easy Things You Can Do Every Day To Protect Our Water

olutions toStormwater Pollution

Make sure you properlystore or discard anyunused portions.

Properly use anddispose ofhazardousproducts

Hazardous productsinclude some household orcommercial cleaningproducts, lawn and gardencare products, motor oil,antifreeze, and paints.

Do not pour anyhazardous productsdown a storm drainbecause storm drains areusually connected to localwaterbodies and the wateris not treated.

As a resident,business, orother member ofthe New Jerseycommunity, it isimportant to knowthese easythings you cando every day toprotect ourwater.

Limit your use offertilizers andpesticides

Do a soil test to see ifyou need a fertilizer.

Do not apply fertilizersif heavy rain is predicted.

Look into alternativesfor pesticides.

Maintain a small lawnand keep the rest of yourproperty or yard in anatural state with trees andother native vegetationthat requires little or nofertilizer.

If you use fertilizersand pesticides, follow theinstructions on the label onhow to correctly apply it.

P

If you have hazardousproducts in your home orworkplace, make sureyou store or dispose ofthem properly. Read thelabel for guidance.

Use natural or lesstoxic alternatives whenpossible.

Recycle used motor oil.

Contact yourmunicipality, county orfacility management officefor the locations ofhazardous-waste disposalfacilities.

Keep pollutionout of stormdrains

Municipalities andmany other public agenciesare required to markcertain storm drain inletswith messages remindingpeople that storm drainsare connected to localwaterbodies.

Do not let sewage orother wastes flow into astormwater system.

Don’t litter

Place litter in trashreceptacles.

Recycle. Recycle.Recycle.

Participate incommunity cleanups.

Contact information

For more information on stormwater related topics, visitwww.njstormwater.org or www.nonpointsource.org

Additional information is also available at U. S.Environmental Protection Agency Web siteswww.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater or www.epa.gov/nps

New Jersey Department of Environmental ProtectionDivision of Water QualityBureau of Nonpoint Pollution ControlMunicipal Stormwater Regulation Program(609) 633-7021

Dispose of yardwaste properly

Keep leaves and grassout of storm drains.

If your municipality oragency has yard wastecollection rules, followthem.

Use leaves and grassclippings as a resource forcompost.

Use a mulchingmower that recycles grassclippings into the lawn.

April 2004

Clean up afteryour pet

Many municipalitiesand public agencies mustenact and enforce localpet-waste rules.

An example isrequiring pet owners ortheir keepers to pick upand properly dispose ofpet waste dropped onpublic or other people’sproperty.

Make sure you knowyour town’s or agency’srequirements and complywith them. It’s the law.And remember to:

Use newspaper, bagsor pooper-scoopers topick up wastes.

Dispose of thewrapped pet wastein the trash or un-wrapped in a toilet.

Never discard petwaste in a storm drain.

Don’t feedwildlife

Do not feed wildlife,such as ducks and geese, inpublic areas.

Many municipalities andother public agencies mustenact and enforce a rule thatprohibits wildlife feeding inthese areas.